Yall might check out The Old Crow Medicine Show. They're a very good bandand mix in some of their own songs with older music.--Tom from Texas(The Tom Risner Fund for Deserving North Texas Guitarplayers is not liablefor any slander, hurt feelings, pointless moaning, or achy-breaky heartacheany post under this name should cause. Yall want easy cash or sympathy...ye can kiss my grits!!)

Post by NelsonHi,I am new to this group. Over the last year or so I have discoveredthat I am not so much a bluegrass fan as I am an old-time fan. (Iplay mandolin and guitar and am a huge Bill Monroe fan, though).I started out by listening to The Skillet Lickers, the MonroeBrothers, Eck Robertson, Fiddlin' John Carson and maybe a few others.Can anyone refer me to string bands working now that play old-time orold-time inspired music? The best I have found so far seems to be TheFoghorn Stringband.Also, what old-time bands would you guys consider must haves?Thanks,Nelson

Hi,I am new to this group. Over the last year or so I have discoveredthat I am not so much a bluegrass fan as I am an old-time fan. (Iplay mandolin and guitar and am a huge Bill Monroe fan, though).I started out by listening to The Skillet Lickers, the MonroeBrothers, Eck Robertson, Fiddlin' John Carson and maybe a few others.Can anyone refer me to string bands working now that play old-time orold-time inspired music? The best I have found so far seems to be TheFoghorn Stringband.Also, what old-time bands would you guys consider must haves?Thanks,Nelson

You didn't say where you live. We could maybe direct you to a goodband likely to be playing near you. Unfortunately, some talentedbands were only temporary conglomerations, and exist only as a CD ortwo. I recommend subscribing to the Old Time Herald(www.oldtimeherald.org), even to the point of ordering back issues.The magazine has excellent reviews of current performers.

There's a lot more variability in old time music than in bluegrass, soyou might want to explore some to broaden your musical dimensions --i.e., Cajun, Zydeco, Southern African-American, etc. If you like thesort of hell-for-leather music that Foghorn plays, I understand theFreighthoppers have re-formed, although I haven't heard themrecently.

Here's some other currently-active groups that I enjoy. The list isfar from inclusive, just names that popped into the top of my head. Iapologize to any great groups that didn't happen to rise intoconsciousness -- I should have been able to mention 3 times as many asI list below. Also, some of the public radio stations in the Southeasthave OT programs you can listen to on the internet. I used to have alist of some, but they disappeared into digital oblivion when my harddrive went to that great toxic waste dump in the sky. An even broaderexample of old-time music is the Secret Museum of the Air archives athttp://www.wfmu.org/playlists/SM. By the time you're done listening tothose programs, you'll be familiar with traditional music from aroundthe world.

Hi,I am new to this group. Over the last year or so I have discoveredthat I am not so much a bluegrass fan as I am an old-time fan. (Iplay mandolin and guitar and am a huge Bill Monroe fan, though).I started out by listening to The Skillet Lickers, the MonroeBrothers, Eck Robertson, Fiddlin' John Carson and maybe a few others.Can anyone refer me to string bands working now that play old-time orold-time inspired music? The best I have found so far seems to be TheFoghorn Stringband.Also, what old-time bands would you guys consider must haves?Thanks,Nelson

You didn't say where you live. We could maybe direct you to a goodband likely to be playing near you. Unfortunately, some talentedbands were only temporary conglomerations, and exist only as a CD ortwo. I recommend subscribing to the Old Time Herald(www.oldtimeherald.org), even to the point of ordering back issues.The magazine has excellent reviews of current performers.There's a lot more variability in old time music than in bluegrass, soyou might want to explore some to broaden your musical dimensions --i.e., Cajun, Zydeco, Southern African-American, etc. If you like thesort of hell-for-leather music that Foghorn plays, I understand theFreighthoppers have re-formed, although I haven't heard themrecently.Here's some other currently-active groups that I enjoy. The list isfar from inclusive, just names that popped into the top of my head. Iapologize to any great groups that didn't happen to rise intoconsciousness -- I should have been able to mention 3 times as many asI list below. Also, some of the public radio stations in the Southeasthave OT programs you can listen to on the internet. I used to have alist of some, but they disappeared into digital oblivion when my harddrive went to that great toxic waste dump in the sky. An even broaderexample of old-time music is the Secret Museum of the Air archives athttp://www.wfmu.org/playlists/SM. By the time you're done listening tothose programs, you'll be familiar with traditional music from aroundthe world.(listed in alphabetical order:)Bob Bovee & Gail HeilBruce MolskyEric & Suzy ThompsonMike SeegerOrpheus SupertonesRed Mountain White TrashStairwell SistersTom, Brad & AliceTracy Schwarz & Ginny HawkerWelcome to the newsgroup.Lyle

Just as soon as I pressed "send," I remembered the Carolina ChocolateDrops. Not to be missed.

Hi,I am new to this group. Over the last year or so I have discoveredthat I am not so much a bluegrass fan as I am an old-time fan. (Iplay mandolin and guitar and am a huge Bill Monroe fan, though).I started out by listening to The Skillet Lickers, the MonroeBrothers, Eck Robertson, Fiddlin' John Carson and maybe a few others.Can anyone refer me to string bands working now that play old-time orold-time inspired music? The best I have found so far seems to be TheFoghorn Stringband.Also, what old-time bands would you guys consider must haves?Thanks,Nelson

You didn't say where you live. We could maybe direct you to a goodband likely to be playing near you. Unfortunately, some talentedbands were only temporary conglomerations, and exist only as a CD ortwo. I recommend subscribing to the Old Time Herald(www.oldtimeherald.org), even to the point of ordering back issues.The magazine has excellent reviews of current performers.There's a lot more variability in old time music than in bluegrass, soyou might want to explore some to broaden your musical dimensions --i.e., Cajun, Zydeco, Southern African-American, etc. If you like thesort of hell-for-leather music that Foghorn plays, I understand theFreighthoppers have re-formed, although I haven't heard themrecently.Here's some other currently-active groups that I enjoy. The list isfar from inclusive, just names that popped into the top of my head. Iapologize to any great groups that didn't happen to rise intoconsciousness -- I should have been able to mention 3 times as many asI list below. Also, some of the public radio stations in the Southeasthave OT programs you can listen to on the internet. I used to have alist of some, but they disappeared into digital oblivion when my harddrive went to that great toxic waste dump in the sky. An even broaderexample of old-time music is the Secret Museum of the Air archives athttp://www.wfmu.org/playlists/SM. By the time you're done listening tothose programs, you'll be familiar with traditional music from aroundthe world.(listed in alphabetical order:)Bob Bovee & Gail HeilBruce MolskyEric & Suzy ThompsonMike SeegerOrpheus SupertonesRed Mountain White TrashStairwell SistersTom, Brad & AliceTracy Schwarz & Ginny HawkerWelcome to the newsgroup.Lyle

Just as soon as I pressed "send," I remembered the Carolina ChocolateDrops. Not to be missed.Lyle

To discover and appreciate this rich musical tradition will take sometime. Let me suggest that you ....

Watch some Old Time Music Videoshttp://www.oldjoebobclark.homestead.com/OldtimeVideos.html

and then go to the band homepages pagehttp://oldtimemusicanddance.homestead.com/bandhomepages.html

which will get you to their websites which often have audio providedby the bands.

Enjoy!!

http://www.myspace.com/old_joebob_clark

*********************************************************

The Old Time Music & Dance Community Websitehttp://oldtimemusicanddance.homestead.com/

Many useful links to pages with Old Time content such as -

Bands | Old Time Music Videos | Dances |

AudioFiles | Photos | Events & Festivals |

Friends of OTM | Old Time Jams | Submit URLs

And More....

*********************************************************

Hi,I am new to this group. Over the last year or so I have discoveredthat I am not so much a bluegrass fan as I am an old-time fan. (Iplay mandolin and guitar and am a huge Bill Monroe fan, though).I started out by listening to The Skillet Lickers, the MonroeBrothers, Eck Robertson, Fiddlin' John Carson and maybe a few others.Can anyone refer me to string bands working now that play old-time orold-time inspired music? The best I have found so far seems to be TheFoghorn Stringband.Also, what old-time bands would you guys consider must haves?Thanks,Nelson

Well, the Carolina Chocolate Drops have been very popular the last fewyears and put on a great live show. They have two CDs out. I can alsorecommend Dirk Powell, Bruce Greene, Dan Gellert and Rafe Stefanini.The Roan Mountain Hilltoppers are still playing, albeit without someof their original members. But they are still a treat to watch. I'veseen the Freight Hoppers twice this year. David Bass and Frank Lee area powerful combination.

If you go online to County Records, they have a sizeable old-timemusic selection from which to choose. Best of luck.

Post by NelsonHi,I am new to this group. Over the last year or so I have discoveredthat I am not so much a bluegrass fan as I am an old-time fan. (Iplay mandolin and guitar and am a huge Bill Monroe fan, though).I started out by listening to The Skillet Lickers, the MonroeBrothers, Eck Robertson, Fiddlin' John Carson and maybe a few others.Can anyone refer me to string bands working now that play old-time orold-time inspired music? The best I have found so far seems to be TheFoghorn Stringband.Also, what old-time bands would you guys consider must haves?Thanks,Nelson

Well folks, I have reviewed some of the suggestions so far, and some arebetter than others. But if you REALLY want to get contemporary, take alook and a listen to a few other suggestions:

The Hen Cackle Entertainers...

The Gap Tooth Mountain Ramblers...

http://www.bluegrasswest.com/gapposter.htm

You just can't GET more contemporary than this! (I understand that usSo. Calif. folks are anathema to the Old Time Herald crowd, whosereporter, writing a survey of OT music on the west coast a few yearsago, covered Seattle, Portland, Arcata, Berkeley, and then made a quickjump to Phoenix AZ while holding his hands over his ears.) I figure hejust had to stop for gas at least once....

Hi,I am new to this group. Over the last year or so I have discoveredthat I am not so much a bluegrass fan as I am an old-time fan. (Iplay mandolin and guitar and am a huge Bill Monroe fan, though).I started out by listening to The Skillet Lickers, the MonroeBrothers, Eck Robertson, Fiddlin' John Carson and maybe a few others.Can anyone refer me to string bands working now that play old-time orold-time inspired music? The best I have found so far seems to be TheFoghorn Stringband.Also, what old-time bands would you guys consider must haves?Thanks,Nelson

Well folks, I have reviewed some of the suggestions so far, and some arebetter than others. But if you REALLY want to get contemporary, take aThe Hen Cackle Entertainers...http://youtu.be/1v_3C99BLZ8http://youtu.be/Osm9-cqMOK0The Gap Tooth Mountain Ramblers...http://www.bluegrasswest.com/gapposter.htmYou just can't GET more contemporary than this! (I understand that usSo. Calif. folks are anathema to the Old Time Herald crowd, whosereporter, writing a survey of OT music on the west coast a few yearsago, covered Seattle, Portland, Arcata, Berkeley, and then made a quickjump to Phoenix AZ while holding his hands over his ears.) I figure hejust had to stop for gas at least once....--Peter FeldmannBlueGrass WestPO Box 614Los Olivos, CA 93441 USA+1 805 688 9894 // 805 350 3918 (cell)www.BlueGrassWest.com

Gee, Peter, we didn't know there was any old time music in SouthernCalifornia since the Ash Grove closed. (Wait! Don't hit me with thatMastertone! I was just kidding!)

I recall waiting for a return flight to Santa Barbara on a business tripat the San Jose airport a few years back. All of a sudden, on theintercom, came a voice announcing: "Will Riley Puckett please pick up awhite courtesy telephone?". It was repeated. Damn! I should havepicked up and found out if it was Gid.

Post by Lyle LofgrenGee, Peter, we didn't know there was any old time music in SouthernCalifornia since the Ash Grove closed. (Wait! Don't hit me with thatMastertone! I was just kidding!)Lyle

Lyle, we just do things differently here in Southern California. Lifeworks in mysterious ways . . .I recall waiting for a return flight to Santa Barbara on a business tripat the San Jose airport a few years back. All of a sudden, on theintercom, came a voice announcing: "Will Riley Puckett please pick up awhite courtesy telephone?". It was repeated. Damn! I should havepicked up and found out if it was Gid.

That Great Airport in the Sky, yes....

I tend to take a somewhat skeptical view of neo string bands, I'mafraid, and would recommend especially to novice listeners that they goback to the best of the early recordings as part of the basic learningprocess. What I hear in contemporary groups tends to be technicallygood on instruments, weak on singing, and weak on variety andexpression, tending to play too fast. This is enough of a grossovergeneralization to offend all sorts of folks, and I don't intend toget involved in a discussion of the issues, it being my own impressionbased on forty-odd years of listening to this stuff.

So I still go back and listen to Charlie Poole, Uncle Dave Macon's bestmaterial, and so on. I continue to be resentful that we don't have moreof Kahle Brewer's wonderful playing, full of unexpected musical ideas.Tommy Jarrell was his own person in many ways, and if you want tounderstand the melody/rhythm relationships in old-time fiddling you haveto listen to Tommy. And so on.

Not that these cautions stop me from playing the music shamelessly andnever as well as I might wish, music being among other things acontinuous pursuit of unattainable excellence of one sort or another.Scott Fitzgerald was not a musician, but one might well quote the lastline of "Gatsby" as our collective maxim.

process. What I hear in contemporary groups tends to be technically goodon instruments, weak on singing, and weak on variety and expression,tending to play too fast.

I have to agree, especially about the singing. Still, there is someinteresting stuff being done. You might check out Greg Clarke of Portland,Oregon. He's not widely known but his singing is often top notch old-time.And Maggie & Patrick Lind of Portland, unrecorded, but more in the MollyO-Day vein.

And as for Lyle's list, he needs to add The Brandy Sniffers, and move themto the top of the list in my opinion.

Hi,I am new to this group. Over the last year or so I have discoveredthat I am not so much a bluegrass fan as I am an old-time fan. (Iplay mandolin and guitar and am a huge Bill Monroe fan, though).I started out by listening to The Skillet Lickers, the MonroeBrothers, Eck Robertson, Fiddlin' John Carson and maybe a few others.Can anyone refer me to string bands working now that play old-time orold-time inspired music? The best I have found so far seems to be TheFoghorn Stringband.Also, what old-time bands would you guys consider must haves?Thanks,Nelson

For the flat-out o-t that Foghorn does, I suggest trying to findrecordings by the Highwoods Stringband, the Red Hots and the BubbaGeorge String Band--definitely not purist recreations but wayenergetic get high and dance in the mud old-time.

But for a truly psychedelic experience, check out "Indian War Whoop"by Hoyt Ming and His Pep-Steppers.

Hi,I am new to this group. Over the last year or so I have discoveredthat I am not so much a bluegrass fan as I am an old-time fan. (Iplay mandolin and guitar and am a huge Bill Monroe fan, though).I started out by listening to The Skillet Lickers, the MonroeBrothers, Eck Robertson, Fiddlin' John Carson and maybe a few others.Can anyone refer me to string bands working now that play old-time orold-time inspired music? The best I have found so far seems to be TheFoghorn Stringband.Also, what old-time bands would you guys consider must haves?Thanks,Nelson

Hi Nelson,I've been enjoying Chance McCoy & the Appalachian String Band quite abit. One person whose opinion I respect says it's ok but Chancedoesn't sound like he's sinned enough. Maybe that's my problem,too. ;-)For the flat-out o-t that Foghorn does, I suggest trying to findrecordings by the Highwoods Stringband, the Red Hots and the BubbaGeorge String Band--definitely not purist recreations but wayenergetic get high and dance in the mud old-time.But for a truly psychedelic experience, check out "Indian War Whoop"by Hoyt Ming and His Pep-Steppers.Frank in L.A.

Amen! The "Indian War Whoop" is on the Folkways Anthology of AmericanFolk Music, published by Smithsonian-Folkways. It's well worth thecost of the 3-CD album (with voluminous notes), because you'll neverget tired of listening to it or know it so well you won't learnsomething new the next time you play it. An astral experience.

Hi,I am new to this group. Over the last year or so I have discoveredthat I am not so much a bluegrass fan as I am an old-time fan. (Iplay mandolin and guitar and am a huge Bill Monroe fan, though).I started out by listening to The Skillet Lickers, the MonroeBrothers, Eck Robertson, Fiddlin' John Carson and maybe a few others.Can anyone refer me to string bands working now that play old-time orold-time inspired music? The best I have found so far seems to be TheFoghorn Stringband.Also, what old-time bands would you guys consider must haves?Thanks,Nelson

Hi Nelson,I've been enjoying Chance McCoy & the Appalachian String Band quite abit. One person whose opinion I respect says it's ok but Chancedoesn't sound like he's sinned enough. Maybe that's my problem,too. ;-)For the flat-out o-t that Foghorn does, I suggest trying to findrecordings by the Highwoods Stringband, the Red Hots and the BubbaGeorge String Band--definitely not purist recreations but wayenergetic get high and dance in the mud old-time.But for a truly psychedelic experience, check out "Indian War Whoop"by Hoyt Ming and His Pep-Steppers.Frank in L.A.

Amen! The "Indian War Whoop" is on the Folkways Anthology of AmericanFolk Music, published by Smithsonian-Folkways. It's well worth thecost of the 3-CD album (with voluminous notes), because you'll neverget tired of listening to it or know it so well you won't learnsomething new the next time you play it. An astral experience.Lyle- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -

Having met and picked a bit with Chance, I can testify that he knowshow to sin and likes to sin. He makes me wish I was young enough tosin as he does.He has got some good music.

I just think poeople should listen to the old stuff first just to findout what it is, so they can view the new stuff in reference to it.

I love a lot of the new string bands, but I listen to very few of thembecause there is so much of the old stuff to hear. I cannot dictatewhat other people should do about anything, nor do I wish to confusemy own tastes with what people should do.

I am interested in the old music as a product of culture and historythat no longer exists and recognize that whatever we do, we are notreproducing it because we do not come from that context.

The OTM revivial which I date from the late 1950s has been going onlonger than the amount of time that the original commercial recordingswere made in the 1920s through the 1930s. Many of us who got into itas teenagers are retirment age and older, as old or older than some ofthe great old time musicians and blues singers who we "rediscovered"in the 1960s.

Despite the general pressure of many of us to stick near the oldtradition, whatever social and economic forces that are representedamongst the nearly 60 years of OTM revivalism probably have more to dowith our playing than simple reproduction of the traditional music.

Still, that might be good stuff, just not the :"real thing" but stillgoood gooood music.

I especially like some of the musicians like Chance who are youngenough to be sufficiently sinful to play OTM the proper way. In the1960s, a certain attitude about being old timey developed based on thenear senility of many of the great old players. There was anunconscious and conscious apping of how old people act as part of theroutine of being an Old Time Music shtick. We forgot that the oldmusicians and singers we found hadd gotten into the music as hormonefilled teenagers, wild giirls and boys knowledgeable of opportunitiesto fornicate, imbibe white lighting, and "take a wiff on me," and notthe oldsters they had become.

Tony Thomas who is feeling particularly old today and who was supposedto call Social Security today about how much can I make and still getmy check.

Post by NelsonHi,I am new to this group. Over the last year or so I have discoveredthat I am not so much a bluegrass fan as I am an old-time fan. (Iplay mandolin and guitar and am a huge Bill Monroe fan, though).I started out by listening to The Skillet Lickers, the MonroeBrothers, Eck Robertson, Fiddlin' John Carson and maybe a few others.Can anyone refer me to string bands working now that play old-time orold-time inspired music? The best I have found so far seems to be TheFoghorn Stringband.Also, what old-time bands would you guys consider must haves?Thanks,Nelson

Hi,

I left out a big part of North Eastern dance band music styles when I forgot Celtic. Lots of Celtic tunes are included in most these dance bands repertoires.

Post by NelsonHi,I am new to this group. Over the last year or so I have discoveredthat I am not so much a bluegrass fan as I am an old-time fan. (I playmandolin and guitar and am a huge Bill Monroe fan, though).I started out by listening to The Skillet Lickers, the Monroe Brothers,Eck Robertson, Fiddlin' John Carson and maybe a few others.Can anyone refer me to string bands working now that play old-time orold-time inspired music? The best I have found so far seems to be TheFoghorn Stringband.Also, what old-time bands would you guys consider must haves?Thanks,Nelson

Hi,I left out a big part of North Eastern dance band music styles when Iforgot Celtic. Lots of Celtic tunes are included in most these dancebands repertoires.

The Roadoilers from California might be up your alley.Regards,Uncle Bob

I haven't read all of the posted answers to your question. So I hope I'm not repeating any info from others. One area of Old Time String Band music that regularly gets overlooked, and was overlooked in the 1920s and 1930s when the focus was on recording Southern string bands, is North Eastern dance bands. Most commonly playing for Contra, but also Round and Square dances. If you look up the name Larry Ungar there are a number of bands he's connected with. There's also Canal Street String Band in Buffalo, NY. There's Wild Asparagus, I'm not sure where from. There's also the resource of the New York State Old Tyme Fiddler's Association (NYSOTFA). They can provide some good info on North Eastern fiddling traditions.

As long I'm on this topic, I'll take time to name a couple of groups I play with: The Wastrels (String Band) and Millers' Wheel. These are Central/Western NY string bands. Since NY is generally a cross roads, bands around here often assimilate a mix of styles (Southern, Contra, Country Blues, Cajun, etc.). So that's what you'll find with these last two bands I mentioned.

Hope you've been finding lots of good music in your explorations of Old Time.

And, further good luck to you,Lincoln

Post by NelsonHi,I am new to this group. Over the last year or so I have discoveredthat I am not so much a bluegrass fan as I am an old-time fan. (Iplay mandolin and guitar and am a huge Bill Monroe fan, though).I started out by listening to The Skillet Lickers, the MonroeBrothers, Eck Robertson, Fiddlin' John Carson and maybe a few others.Can anyone refer me to string bands working now that play old-time orold-time inspired music? The best I have found so far seems to be TheFoghorn Stringband.Also, what old-time bands would you guys consider must haves?Thanks,NelsonHi,I am new to this group. Over the last year or so I have discoveredthat I am not so much a bluegrass fan as I am an old-time fan. (Iplay mandolin and guitar and am a huge Bill Monroe fan, though).I started out by listening to The Skillet Lickers, the MonroeBrothers, Eck Robertson, Fiddlin' John Carson and maybe a few others.Can anyone refer me to string bands working now that play old-time orold-time inspired music? The best I have found so far seems to be TheFoghorn Stringband.Also, what old-time bands would you guys consider must haves?Thanks,Nelson

Post by NelsonHi,I am new to this group. Over the last year or so I have discoveredthat I am not so much a bluegrass fan as I am an old-time fan. (Iplay mandolin and guitar and am a huge Bill Monroe fan, though).I started out by listening to The Skillet Lickers, the MonroeBrothers, Eck Robertson, Fiddlin' John Carson and maybe a few others.Can anyone refer me to string bands working now that play old-time orold-time inspired music? The best I have found so far seems to be TheFoghorn Stringband.Also, what old-time bands would you guys consider must haves?Thanks,Nelson

Check out the compilation CD "Orthophonic Joy". Also the Baltimore group Charm City Junction, The Wayfarers, and fiddlers Kitty Amaral and Billy Hurt.

Post by NelsonHi,I am new to this group. Over the last year or so I have discoveredthat I am not so much a bluegrass fan as I am an old-time fan. (Iplay mandolin and guitar and am a huge Bill Monroe fan, though).I started out by listening to The Skillet Lickers, the MonroeBrothers, Eck Robertson, Fiddlin' John Carson and maybe a few others.Can anyone refer me to string bands working now that play old-time orold-time inspired music? The best I have found so far seems to be TheFoghorn Stringband.Also, what old-time bands would you guys consider must haves?Thanks,Nelson